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Amazon Alexa and Echo FAQ

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    #2522
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    hblock21 wrote: »
    Does Alexa play songs from youtube if you ask it?

    You can play youtube on the browsers on the Echo shows (Silk or Firefox)


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    #2523
    tina1040
    Registered Users Posts: 478 ✭✭tina1040


    Is the echo dot just a smaller echo or does it have to work in addition to an echo?


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    #2524
    Samuel T. Cogley
    Registered Users Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    tina1040 wrote: »
    Is the echo dot just a smaller echo or does it have to work in addition to an echo?

    Just a smaller version does (AFAIK) all the same stuff.

    Just a note in regard to Amazon Music - Irish customers don't get music with their prime subs. One Echo is €3.99 for Amazon Music Unlimited but it's limited to one echo full stop. We got another one and ended up having to fork out for the full €9.99 subscription which supports one device/group at a time, but at least we can play music on the one in the living room now too.


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    #2525
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »
    Just a smaller version does (AFAIK) all the same stuff.

    Just a note in regard to Amazon Music - Irish customers don't get music with their prime subs. One Echo is €3.99 for Amazon Music Unlimited but it's limited to one echo full stop. We got another one and ended up having to fork out for the full €9.99 subscription which supports one device/group at a time, but at least we can play music on the one in the living room now too.

    Weirdly enough the prime music works for me... Typicallly none of the UK stuff works, even if I try my hardest to circumvent the limitations.


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    #2526
    downtheroad
    Registered Users Posts: 2,830 ✭✭✭downtheroad


    Does anybody know how to get Christmas FM on tunein with Alexa? I set up a routine for tunein to play 95.3fm and it's not Christmas fm, switched it to 105.2fm and Alexa can't find it on tunein. Thanks


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    #2527
    Brian017
    Registered Users Posts: 2,888 ✭✭✭Brian017


    downtheroad wrote: »
    Does anybody know how to get Christmas FM on tunein with Alexa? I set up a routine for tunein to play 95.3fm and it's not Christmas fm, switched it to 105.2fm and Alexa can't find it on tunein. Thanks

    Why not just stream it directly?

    Enable the Christmas FM Skill by asking Alexa to ‘Enable Christmas FM’ and from then on just say ‘Start Christmas FM’


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    #2528
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    downtheroad wrote: »
    Does anybody know how to get Christmas FM on tunein with Alexa? I set up a routine for tunein to play 95.3fm and it's not Christmas fm, switched it to 105.2fm and Alexa can't find it on tunein. Thanks

    Don't put in the frequency. Type Christmas FM in the routine and select TuneIn from the provider list.


    Outside of the routine, on the play tab you can select Christmas FM from the 'local radio' station.


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    #2529
    downtheroad
    Registered Users Posts: 2,830 ✭✭✭downtheroad


    Cheers guys, didn't realise there was a Christmas fm skill. Have a smart plug for the Christmas tree lights and now Christmas fm set up on a routine, herself is delighted.


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    #2530
    Soarer
    Registered Users Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭Soarer


    Quick (probably stupid) question.

    The two kids both have Fire tablets, both of which I’ve linked to my Amazon account.
    Unfortunately they’re getting notifications of my purchases for Christmas, which could make things awkward.

    Is there a way of turning them off?


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    #2531
    rkdub
    Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭rkdub


    Soarer wrote: »
    Quick (probably stupid) question.

    The two kids both have Fire tablets, both of which I’ve linked to my Amazon account.
    Unfortunately they’re getting notifications of my purchases for Christmas, which could make things awkward.

    Is there a way of turning them off?

    Same here. Turn on parental controls and disable shopping.


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    #2532
    celticsfan
    Registered Users Posts: 348 ✭✭celticsfan


    Hi folks

    with these being zigbee enabled,can anyone point me to some recommended window / door sensors for it?? or would you be better served with another hub for that kinda thing??


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    #2533
    tina1040
    Registered Users Posts: 478 ✭✭tina1040


    I have had a Philips Hue Bridge for a while with 3 lamps connected to it. I decided to be adventurous and replace bulbs in my 2 island lights with Hue bulbs.

    They are connected and Alexa will turn them on. My problem is I have changed the names in the Hue app to Island 1 And Island 2 but the names in the Alexa app are something like Philips Hue bright white 1 and 2. I hoped it would pick up the name change and I can't figure out how to edit the name in the Alexa app.

    I'm a beginner with Home Automation so please be kind!!!


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    #2534
    jarvis
    Registered Users Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭jarvis


    tina1040 wrote: »
    I have had a Philips Hue Bridge for a while with 3 lamps connected to it. I decided to be adventurous and replace bulbs in my 2 island lights with Hue bulbs.

    They are connected and Alexa will turn them on. My problem is I have changed the names in the Hue app to Island 1 And Island 2 but the names in the Alexa app are something like Philips Hue bright white 1 and 2. I hoped it would pick up the name change and I can't figure out how to edit the name in the Alexa app.

    I'm a beginner with Home Automation so please be kind!!!

    In the Alexa app delete the two devices from the list of devices. Then add new device and should find them as their new names.
    Note though that if you have routines setup with the old names they won’t work when the names are changed.

    If they’re not found after Alexa app searched them verify they’re listed correctly in the hue app and if still not working then In Alexa app Rey disabling and re enabling the hue skill


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    #2535
    tina1040
    Registered Users Posts: 478 ✭✭tina1040


    jarvis wrote: »
    In the Alexa app delete the two devices from the list of devices. Then add new device and should find them as their new names.
    Note though that if you have routines setup with the old names they won’t work when the names are changed.

    If they’re not found after Alexa app searched them verify they’re listed correctly in the hue app and if still not working then In Alexa app Rey disabling and re enabling the hue skill

    Thank you! That worked!

    Now to group the lights....

    All 5 are in an open plan kitchen. Up to now we just request to turn on/off lights and the 3 lamps go on/off. I want to be able to turn on island lights or lamps or all. What's the best way to do this?


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    #2536
    Soarer
    Registered Users Posts: 8,865 ✭✭✭Soarer


    tina1040 wrote: »
    Thank you! That worked!

    Now to group the lights....

    All 5 are in an open plan kitchen. Up to now we just request to turn on/off lights and the 3 lamps go on/off. I want to be able to turn on island lights or lamps or all. What's the best way to do this?

    Exactly the way you described!
    Go into the Alexa app and create 3 groups. Island Lights, Kitchen Lamps, Kitchen Lights. Or obviously use your own naming convention.
    Then put the lamps into the Kitchen Lamps group, the island lights into the Island Lights group, and all the lights/lamps into the Kitchen Lights group (you can have a light in more than one group).
    Then you can ask Alexa to turn on/off whichever group you want.


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    #2537
    thecivvie
    Registered Users Posts: 3,019 ✭✭✭thecivvie


    celticsfan wrote: »
    Hi folks

    with these being zigbee enabled,can anyone point me to some recommended window / door sensors for it?? or would you be better served with another hub for that kinda thing??

    I was wondering the same. I have a Hue hub and did have HA but it ended up driving me nuts. If you find an answer, would appreciate any info

    Join Ireland Weather Network

    http://irelandweather.eu/index.php




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    #2538
    iba
    Registered Users Posts: 2,624 ✭✭✭iba


    celticsfan wrote: »
    Hi folks

    with these being zigbee enabled,can anyone point me to some recommended window / door sensors for it?? or would you be better served with another hub for that kinda thing??

    A dedicated hub is probably best but the Tuya sensors probably work.


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    #2539
    whiz
    Registered Users Posts: 423 ✭✭whiz


    Hi Guys

    We have two Amazon accounts that have different echos setup for them.

    Now one Amazon account has the Philip hue skills along with Alexa commands setup so can I turn off/on lights , however can this setup be copied across to the other Amazon account so that I can use the same commands on both accounts ?

    Any response appreciated.


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    #2540
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users Posts: 7,718 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    whiz wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    We have two Amazon accounts that have different echos setup for them.

    Now one Amazon account has the Philip hue skills along with Alexa commands setup so can I turn off/on lights , however can this setup be copied across to the other Amazon account so that I can use the same commands on both accounts ?

    Any response appreciated.

    I don't use Amazon devices... But I'm pretty sure you can have one device set up for multiple users with voice recognition... Having a set of devices for each user seems OTT.


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    #2541
    whiz
    Registered Users Posts: 423 ✭✭whiz


    Bluefoam wrote: »
    I don't use Amazon devices... But I'm pretty sure you can have one device set up for multiple users with voice recognition... Having a set of devices for each user seems OTT.

    See the reason why I am asking this question is one of the Amazon accounts is new and they would like a copy of the existing Alexa hue commands copied across to their account.....is this possible ?


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    #2542
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users Posts: 7,718 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    I would have thought the best system would be to set up all echos in the same group, smart home stuff like hue can be operated by all users and individual stuff like Spotify or Deezer can be assigned to particular users... At least that's how I would try to set it up.


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    #2543
    whiz
    Registered Users Posts: 423 ✭✭whiz


    Bluefoam wrote: »
    I would have thought the best system would be to set up all echos in the same group, smart home stuff like hue can be operated by all users and individual stuff like Spotify or Deezer can be assigned to particular users... At least that's how I would try to set it up.



    That’s ok if you have one amazon account...but if you have two accounts which I realize is problematic, can you set them up with the same commands for the philips hue skill?


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    #2544
    wally79
    Registered Users Posts: 2,933 ✭✭✭wally79


    whiz wrote: »
    That’s ok if you have one amazon account...but if you have two accounts which I realize is problematic, can you set them up with the same commands for the philips hue skill?

    Why do you need separate accounts on the two devices?


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    #2545
    whiz
    Registered Users Posts: 423 ✭✭whiz


    wally79 wrote: »
    Why do you need separate accounts on the two devices?

    I think I found the solution it's called creating the Alexa Household, there is no extra cost here...see below:

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/11/19/20970798/amazon-echo-alexa-household-accounts-adults-kids-how-to-add-use


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    #2546
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    whiz wrote: »
    I think I found the solution it's called creating the Alexa Household, there is no extra cost here...see below:

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/11/19/20970798/amazon-echo-alexa-household-accounts-adults-kids-how-to-add-use

    Even with Household, each profile has separate set of devices, command and routines. This in annoying as hell...


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    #2547
    Muahahaha
    Registered Users Posts: 19,615 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    Have four smart bulbs I want to set up with Alexa but want the option to have control all 4 together simultaneously and to also control them as two separate 2s. How is this done in Alexa, by a skill or by using IFTTT? Brand of bulb is Teckin if that makes a difference.


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    #2548
    wally79
    Registered Users Posts: 2,933 ✭✭✭wally79


    Muahahaha wrote: »
    Have four smart bulbs I want to set up with Alexa but want the option to have control all 4 together simultaneously and to also control them as two separate 2s. How is this done in Alexa, by a skill or by using IFTTT? Brand of bulb is Teckin if that makes a difference.

    You add all the bulbs and then put them into groups as you like


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    #2549
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    Muahahaha wrote: »
    Have four smart bulbs I want to set up with Alexa but want the option to have control all 4 together simultaneously and to also control them as two separate 2s. How is this done in Alexa, by a skill or by using IFTTT? Brand of bulb is Teckin if that makes a difference.

    Create separate groups, expample:

    All: lights 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Kitchen: lights 1, 2
    Bedrooms: lights 3, 4


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    #2550
    Muahahaha
    Registered Users Posts: 19,615 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    cheers lads got it sorted in the Alexa app, was a lot easier than I thought it would be.


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    #2551
    Risoc
    Registered Users Posts: 161 ✭✭Risoc


    I’m looking to set up an Alexa routine for the lamp in the small area under my stairs which is boarded off and has a door.
    I have a Calex Smart Bulb and thought I could simply purchase a magnetic door sensor to activate the bulb when I open the door. Unfortunately it seems all the door sensors are part of other security environments (Ring or Wyse). Do I need to get a hub of some sort (or even a camera etc) to operate these? If it was just the Ring app that wouldn’t be too bad. Are there cheaper sensors that would do the job?


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